Martial Peak - Rise Of The Human Emperor-Chapter 75-A Glimpse Beyond the Veil

Since this strange world lacked a sun, moon, stars, or even clouds, it was impossible to tell how much time had passed. But judging by the soreness in their legs and the fatigue clouding their minds, Yang Kai estimated it had been two full days since they had entered the stone pillar forest.

Their journey had not been without grim reminders of the dangers lurking within this place. Along the winding paths and under crumbled arches, they had come across the cold corpses of disciples from the three great factions. Although none of them could say what had ended these lives, their presence was more than enough to set nerves on edge. Every broken body told a silent story of caution ignored and vigilance forgotten.

When the group finally stepped beyond the rocky maze and into a sprawling jungle, an involuntary sigh of relief spread through the five of them. The green canopy overhead was thick with vibrant life. The air, though humid, felt fresher than the oppressive stillness of the stone forest. And more importantly, the threat of sudden ambush seemed to retreat behind the rustling leaves.

Du Yishuang breathed in deeply, her soft voice murmuring, "It feels... less dangerous here."

"Let's not get careless," Zuo An said sharply, taking the lead once again. "There might be Spirit Beasts in the jungle. Stay close."

Still, the change in scenery was welcomed. In a place like this, the presence of lush vegetation usually meant Spirit Herbs—and where there were Spirit Herbs, there was opportunity.

As they pushed deeper into the jungle, the sharp-eyed Zuo An suddenly stopped, his brows knitting tightly as he stared at the forest floor.

"There are footprints," he muttered.

Nie Yong leaned over eagerly. "Really? Then maybe we've caught up to the others from our sect!"

Zuo An shook his head grimly. "Don't jump to conclusions. We can't assume only disciples from our three factions were allowed inside the Heaven's Cave Inheritance. These prints... there's a lot of them. A large group passed through here not long ago."

The mood grew more cautious again.

Half a day later, following the trail of trampled leaves and scattered footprints, they stumbled upon a serene, shallow lake tucked in a small clearing. The muddy banks bore the imprint of many feet, some fresher than others. This place, it seemed, was something of a resting point for all who passed.

"This looks like a safe spot," Lan Chudie said, her tone unusually gentle. "Let's rest here before moving forward."

Everyone agreed. The moment they settled, each of them found a place by the water's edge or beneath nearby trees to meditate. The silence was peaceful, save for the occasional chirp of insects or the rustle of distant leaves.

After what felt like an hour, Lan Chudie stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, calm and calculating. She turned her gaze to Du Yishuang, who sat cross-legged nearby, her lashes trembling as she struggled to focus.

Lan Chudie leaned in close and whispered something softly. Du Yishuang blinked in surprise, her cheeks immediately flushing with a vivid pink. She hesitated, biting her lower lip. But after a long pause, she finally gave a small nod.

Lan Chudie's lips curled into a satisfied smile. She stood and made her way toward Yang Kai.

The young man opened his eyes the moment she approached. "What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She clasped her hands behind her back, lowering her head slightly—not in submission, but in a deliberate display of softness. "Junior Brother," she said sweetly, "I have a small request."

Yang Kai narrowed his eyes. That tone of hers always meant trouble, and yet... it was oddly charming.

"Well?" he asked.

She gave him a sideways glance, her cheeks slightly pink now. "Little Sister Du and I... we want to bathe in the lake. Can you stand guard for us?"

Yang Kai blinked. "You're asking me?"

"Of course," Lan Chudie said smoothly. "I trust you more than Nie Yong."

Yang Kai laughed. "That's quite a compliment. But wouldn't Nie Yong be thrilled to hear that?"

Lan Chudie gave him a pointed look. "That's exactly why I didn't ask him. He'd faint from excitement before we even dipped our toes."

"Fair enough." Yang Kai gave her a smirk. "But let me warn you—if you bathe, I might peep."

To his surprise, Lan Chudie didn't flinch. She leaned in a little and replied playfully, "If you did, I wouldn't mind. But what would Du Yishuang think?"

Yang Kai blinked, speechless for a moment. "You're... bolder than I thought."

"You're not the only one who's clever," she said, then turned on her heel and walked away, leaving a teasing scent in the air.

Du Yishuang followed timidly, stopping briefly to tug at Yang Kai's sleeve. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "You absolutely mustn't peek, okay?"

Yang Kai gave her a roguish grin. "Not unless you want me to."

Her cheeks turned crimson. "You...! Pervert!"

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She gave him a soft pinch on his waist, her pout only adding to her charm. Then, with a huff, she hurried off after Lan Chudie.

The lake's edge had a large stone formation jutting up like a wall, perfect for hiding behind. As the two girls slipped into the water with a splash, they cast subtle glances toward Yang Kai's back.

He sat down cross-legged facing away, pretending to meditate, though one eye remained slightly open. His position blocked the only clear path to the bathing site—if someone wanted to sneak a peek, they'd have to get past him first.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, he sensed a faint rustle behind him.

He cracked an eye open just in time to see Nie Yong creeping through the underbrush like a hungry dog sniffing for scraps. The boy's eyes were practically glowing, and his breath came in short, excited bursts.

Yang Kai watched, unimpressed.

Nie Yong noticed the gaze and gave a threatening smirk. "You saw nothing. Keep your mouth shut... or I'll make sure you regret it."

Yang Kai rolled his eyes. He waited a beat, then stood.

As Nie Yong inched closer to the rock, drawn by the playful giggles and splashing of water, his imagination running wild, Yang Kai took in a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Fellow Apprentice Nie! What do you think you're doing over there?!"

The clearing fell dead silent.

Then—SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH—the sound of frantic movements filled the air as the girls scrambled behind the rock.

Nie Yong's face turned pale. "Damn you!" he hissed, then bolted into the forest, his escape punctuated by Lan Chudie's furious yelling and Du Yishuang's squeals of panic.

Moments later, the two girls returned, wet and flushed, but clothed.

Lan Chudie tossed her damp hair back and gave Yang Kai a quiet, unreadable look. "...Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Yang Kai replied with a smirk. "Just doing my job."

Du Yishuang's face was still pink, and she couldn't meet his gaze. She muttered something under her breath and scurried away, leaving Lan Chudie to watch Yang Kai thoughtfully for a few extra seconds.

There was a strange glint in her eyes—something between admiration and curiosity—before she, too, turned and left without another word.

Yang Kai exhaled slowly and looked up at the thick jungle canopy above.

Things were definitely getting more complicated.